Tesla, Toyota May Develop New Project Within Three Years

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Though Toyota and Tesla have, to paraphrase Fleetwood Mac, gone their own way while their RAV4 EV project draws to a close, Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he sees his company working with Toyota in two to three years’ time.

Automotive News says Musk made the proclamation during a ceremony for the first Model S sedans delivered in Japan Monday, stating the project “would probably be something significant, maybe on a much higher volume level.” He added that Tesla loved working with Toyota, and held great respect for the automaker.

When the gesture was brought up with Toyota, however, representative Dion Corbett said the automaker had “nothing to say.” This is likely in part due to recent comments between the two companies over their respective paths toward a greener future; Toyota sees EVs as impractical, Tesla believes FCVs are for fools.

The RAV4 EV joint venture is expected to end once the last of the 2,500 crossovers are sold by the end of the year; Toyota has sold 2,130 RAV4 EVs through August 2014.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments
Join the conversation
7 of 24 comments
  • Numbers_Matching Numbers_Matching on Sep 09, 2014

    Hey - isn't that Christopher Walken leaning up against a white Toyota?

  • Tosh Tosh on Sep 09, 2014

    Means the Model 3 will be a Toyota.

  • Stuki Stuki on Sep 09, 2014

    "...Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he sees his company working with Toyota in two to three years’ time." Sez the man who sees himself go for a leisurely stroll on Mars in a roughly similar timeframe....... Even amongst the other ridiculous distortions brought about by free money, financialization and pedal to the medal reverse Robin Hooding; the utter obsession with every silly utterance by whomever happen to be blessed with an unlimited credit line with Yellen, has got to be one of the more laughable.

Next